Posted inN3 Grammar

Mastering 通す (とおす): Your N3 Guide to Passing Through, Continuing, and Getting Things Done

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

The verb 通す (とおす) has several meanings, but fundamentally relates to the idea of “passing through,” “going through,” or “getting something through.”

🎯 Primary Function

Indicates movement through a space or medium, continuation of an action until completion, or successfully getting an idea/request accepted.

📋 Grammar Structure

Various forms: 1. Noun + を + 通す (とおす) 2. Verb ます-stem + 通す (とおす)

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Used in business or formal contexts when discussing getting proposals accepted (意見を通す) or following procedures.

😊 Informal Situations

Used conversationally when talking about passing through a place (道を通す) or seeing through something (ガラスを通す).

✍️ Written Language

Appears in various written forms, from descriptive text (passing through a forest) to more formal arguments (getting a point across).

🗣️ Spoken Language

Commonly used in everyday conversation with its various meanings.

💡 Common Applications

Passing through a place or object
Indicates moving from one side to the other, or using something as a medium.
Example: 狭い道を通す (semai michi o toosu – to pass through a narrow road)
Continuing an action until the end
Combined with the ます-stem of another verb, it emphasizes completing that action entirely.
Example: 最後までやり通す (saigo made yaritoosu – to do something until the very end)
Getting one’s opinion or request accepted
Indicates successfully convincing others or getting approval.
Example: 自分の意見を通す (jibun no iken o toosu – to get one’s opinion accepted/through)
📊
Frequency
Moderate frequency. It is a versatile verb with several common uses at the N3 level.
🎚️
Difficulty
N3
Example Sentences
この道をまっすぐ通して行けば、駅に着きます。
If you go straight through this road, you will arrive at the station.
彼はどんな困難があっても、自分の信念を貫き通した。
Even with any difficulties, he held firmly to his beliefs and saw them through.
部長に新しい企画を通してもらった。
I got the department manager to approve (pass) the new project plan.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Multiple Meanings
通す has several distinct meanings. Pay attention to the context to understand which meaning is being used.
Example: 道を通す (pass through a road) vs. 意見を通す (get an opinion accepted)
Transitive Verb
通す is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object (marked with を). The intransitive equivalent is 通る (とおる).
Example: 道を通す (pass *through* the road – you are the agent) vs. 道を通る (pass *along* the road – the road is where the passing happens)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Confusing 通す (transitive) and 通る (intransitive)
✅ Use 通す when you are the agent causing something to pass or passing something. Use 通る when something/someone is just passing through a space.
電車がトンネルを通る (The train passes through the tunnel – intransitive). 警備員がカバンを通す (The security guard puts the bag through [the scanner] – transitive).
❌ Using incorrect particle with Noun + 通す
✅ Generally uses を for the object being passed through or the medium.
道**を**通す (pass *through* the road).

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Neutral. The politeness depends on the surrounding grammar (e.g., 通します, 通しました).
Social Situations: Applicable in various social and business situations, depending on the meaning.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in the standard meanings.

🔍 Subtle Differences

Verbます-stem + 通す vs. Verb + 続ける
通す emphasizes completing the action until the very end, achieving the goal of the action. 続ける simply means continuing the action.
When to use: Use 通す when the focus is on completion or seeing something through. Use 続ける when the focus is just on the duration of the action.
〜を通して (wo tsuujite) vs. 〜を通す (wo toosu)
〜を通して functions more like a preposition/conjunction meaning “through/via” a medium or process. 〜を通す is the active verb “to pass through/put through”.
When to use: Use 〜を通して when describing how something happens or is perceived via something else. Use 〜を通す when describing the action of making something pass.
通す (toosu) vs. 通る (tooru)
通す is transitive (“to put through”, “to pass something”), 通る is intransitive (“to pass through”, “to go along”).
When to use: Use 通す when there is a direct object being passed or put through something. Use 通る when the subject is simply moving through or along a place.

📝 Conjugation Notes

通す (とおす) is a regular Godan verb. Present: 通します (tooshimasu), 通さない (toosanai) Past: 通しました (tooshimashita), 通さなかった (toosanakatta) Te-form: 通して (tooshite) Dictionary form: 通す (toosu) Masu-stem: 通し (tooshi)

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The pronunciation is とおす (toosu). Be mindful of the long “o” sound (oo).

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of the kanji 通 (pass, go through) and the action of making something pass through it. Verb ます-stem + 通す means “passing through the entire action”.

Practice Exercises
窓ガラス＿＿＿外を見た。
を
に
と
へ
大変な時でも、彼は自分の考えを＿＿＿。
通りませんでした
通しました
通れませんでした
通させました
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